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Inspirational Structures by Takeshi Hosaka Architects

Usually we’re known for highlighting lesser-known independents who work on smaller scale projects. Takeshi Hosaka is quite the opposite of that, being a much bigger architecture firm who’ve worked on some big projects over the years, they’re also recognised internationally for their good work (recently winning quite a few awards and being posted quite a lot around the web).

Takeshi Hosaka, the founder, started the architect firm in 2004 after getting his masters in architecture from the Yokohama National University. What’s fantastic about the Takeshi Hosaka website is the fact that we can read an English version, which is always gratifying, but we can also understand each project separately thanks to captions on the ‘works’ page. Takeshi has been kind enough to individually highlight some of the key points on each build and why he’s designed it in that specific way. Great for us design geeks!

From what I picked up it seems like there’s a particularly strong concept at play in all of his builds, one idea that I’m extremely fond, it’s the play between exterior and interior. Basically bringing the outside in to the space and really intertwining it. He uses natural materials like wood to create this effect, also glass for transparency and light, then plant work inside to give it that extra element. In fact, he’s even added official spaces for the plants to sit, such as square wooden sections in the floor for example, making the build at one with the land it sits on.

One reason why I’m drawn to Japanese architecture is the strong environmental sensibility, Japanese architecture believes that it must play an important role in creating a place to enhance human and nature interaction. This is something I’m a big believer in too, it makes sense when you’re building something that’s going to exist for such a long time. I also think this should run true to products and furniture inside the building, something Alvar Aalto excelled at in his own lifetime.

You could say another main reason why this architecture is so enticing is because the irregular shapes are both fascinating and quite shocking, the below photo with its unusual angles is the perfect example. I like Le Corbusier’s work for that matter, he was great with his use of light but boy was he amazing at designing quirky structures that were full of character. A few images here remind me of his prescense in Takeshi Hosaka’s work, check out the third image down with the multiple windows (remind you of La Chapelle de Notre Dame du Haut Ronchamp?) and the angles in some of the builds make me think of the Villa Savoye in France. I hope you get inspired as much as I did just browsing through his portfolio, it’s a great site full of beautiful builds.